Text by Katie Ellis
When Alice Hubbard moved her daughter to college, she quickly found herself an empty nester eager for a change. With her mind made up, Alice called for a construction dumpster to be delivered to her home, and soon, she had either donated or disposed of all her furnishings—saving only her home office setup and her bed. To further the fresh start, Alice had the entire interior painted white, drowning out the existing jewel tones of her 1998 Jacksonville Beach, Florida, home.
For six months, Alice lived in an empty white house, clearing her mind and planning her next steps all while throwing herself into her work. That’s when she reached out to Gordon Kessler and Larry Johnson of Fernandina Beach’s interior design studio, Gordon + Johnson. “We got a call from Alice, who sounded a bit desperate,” Larry says. “We could quickly tell that she was a lot of fun, and that she really needed help.” Gordon and Larry proved to be the perfect team to transform the blank-slate interiors into a space that now feels fresh, feminine, and classic—a reflection of Alice!
Upon entering the home, guests are now greeted in a newly created intimate entryway that Gordon made by adding a cased opening. “It gives just a bit of a welcoming space before you move into the dining room,” Larry says. The ceiling is clad in tongue and groove, painted the same color as the trim. “The addition of the wainscoting gave it a little panache while the grass cloth wall covering above stays protected from the traffic in and out,” he says.
The cheerful entryway opens into an elegant dining room in this home’s open-concept floor plan. Alice found the perfect antique dining table while in New York, and she had it shipped to Florida, where it now beautifully anchors the space. Gordon created a paneled jamb between the dining and living areas, in what was a wide-open space. The large opening still exudes the feeling of a spacious room while adding architectural interest and character. “The design goal here was to make this home sing timeless, elegant, and gracious, while also whispering, ‘Kick your shoes off, get comfortable, and stay a while,’” Larry says.
Just beyond the dining room awaits the cozy living area, which was one of the largest transformations in this project. Previously, the fireplace and built-in bookcases did not exist, nor did the paneled wall on the opposite side of the room. “An actual wood-burning fireplace and built-in bookcases with loads of storage underneath now grace what was once an ordinary wall,” Larry says. The television is concealed by an original painting by local Jacksonville artist Susan Ober. On the opposite side of the room, Gordon created a paneled wall that is home to a beautiful console with inlaid benches underneath and an original painting that is flanked by eight framed pieces of sea fan.
The heart of the home needed some fresh cottage charm, so Gordon and Larry added a three-fourths wainscoting with beadboard to the kitchen, and the pantry doors were given a simple refresh with new paint and updated door hardware. They installed a wicker chandelier above the breakfast table to add a fun texture that plays well with the rush seats on the ladder-back chairs. The crown molding was custom painted to match the range hood cabinetry, bringing a cohesive feel and visual interest to the room.
The refreshed primary bedroom is now Alice’s personal sanctuary. “The goal here was to make it feminine and to bring calm after a long day,” Larry says. The ceiling was originally drywall, and the creative design team enhanced it with millwork to add architectural interest and draw the eye up in the room. The walls are covered in Thibaut grass cloth, which is the perfect backdrop for the antique bed and other furnishings. Alice’s antique cabinet provides practical storage space while also concealing the television. Room-darkening drapery panels and woven blinds create a layered look with a luxurious feel.
The navy bunk room boasts a sweet, sophisticated coastal flair. “The design intention for this room was to make it a place where Alice’s future grandchildren or guests would want to stay while at the beach,” Larry says. “The room is sun filled and set up for comfort.” The designers added shiplap details to the walls and opted for antique twin beds here instead of the built-in bunks seen in many beach cottages. “The star of the room is an amazing antique chest, complete with inlay seashells,” Larry shares.
The outdoor living area is well loved and used often. One of the best things about spending summer in this home is that it’s only a short walk or bike ride to the beach. Even still, Gordon and Larry thought of everything and brought the ideal relaxed setting to enjoy the sunset and listen to the birds right outside Alice’s door. Perfect for cookouts and hosting friends, this backyard oasis has it all, and the stone outdoor fireplace is a dreamy gathering spot in the evenings. “Long lead times due to the COVID-19 pandemic made for a lengthy job . . . but we all got through it, and the results are nothing short of spectacular,” Larry says. “Alice has become a dear friend, and we continue to get to hang out in this warm hug of a home in Jacksonville Beach.”
